And Michael Bannon of Bucks County Consumer Protection tells me this isn't the first time Walter's dealt with disgruntled consignors. A consignment shop in Montgomery County under his wife's name also closed down.

Meantime, Gina's Closet, a consignment shop in Delaware County owned by Dawn Kane, has also shut down.

Natalie Ritter says she hasn't been able to get back a number of items she left at Gina's to consign, including her daughter's prom dress.

So what is good advice for consignors?

Go to a place that has an established history, check back frequently, and if you get a sense business isn't going well, take your items back immediately.

And read the contract..

"So it needs to be laid out what happens if it doesn't sell," said Bannon. "What happens if the business closes down? That property: where does it go? Who does it belong to?"

Doug Walter didn't return our messages. But I did talk to Dawn Kane, the owner of Gina's Closet.

She said the poor economy forced her to close. But, she added, "all consignors were called and given 3 weeks to pick up their things. If consignors were not called, we deeply apologize. We were never looking to keep anyone's items."

Kane tells me any consignors, including Natalie, should call or email her. And she WILL give them their items and/or any checks that are owed.